White’s City Hall team supporting state campaign

Several members of Bill White’s inner circle during his six years as mayor are among the crowd waiting for him to speak at his election watch party tonight.

Those I’ve spotted include Michael Moore, who was White’s City Hall chief of staff; Frank Michel, his communications director; Patrick Trahan, press secretary; and Andy Icken, a deputy public works director who is moving to the mayor’s office under White’s successor, Annise Parker.

Also on hand is Jimmy Dunne, a longtime Houston activist against corporal punishment in schools and the death penalty. Dunne said he saw little suspense about the outcome of today’s primary, with White holding an overwhelming lead in early returns.

“I think he has a pretty good chance” in the general election, Dunne said. If Gov. Rick Perry is the nominee, Dunne said, White should hit him hard over his refusal to participate in the “race to the top” competition for federal school funds.